Volkswagen Tiguan years to avoid (and the best years)
2,103 NHTSA owner complaints and 38 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 2,103complaints
- 38recalls
- 60reported crashes
- 20reported fires
- 55reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Volkswagen Tiguan years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Volkswagen Tiguan years to avoid are 2018 and 2022. The typical Volkswagen Tiguan year has 110 complaints on file.
- 2018: 282 complaints, 2.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (28% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (17% of complaints).
- 2022: 266 complaints, 2.4 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (44% of complaints) and the electrical system (23% of complaints).
What are the best Volkswagen Tiguan years?
The Volkswagen Tiguan years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2015 (62), 2023 (64) and 2014 (84). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 | 0.2× | 0 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2025 | 47 | 0.4× | 3 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 67 | 0.6× | 2 | 3 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 64 | 0.6× | 1 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2022 | 266 | 2.4× | 5 | 3 | 5 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2021 | 140 | 1.3× | 5 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2020 | 140 | 1.3× | 3 | 5 | 7 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 191 | 1.7× | 5 | 6 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2018 | 282 | 2.6× | 14 | 5 | 11 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2017 | 75 | 0.7× | 4 | 6 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2016 | 96 | 0.9× | 2 | 4 | 3 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2015 | 62 | 0.6× | 4 | 1 | 4 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2014 | 84 | 0.8× | 3 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2013 | 139 | 1.3× | 3 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2012 | 152 | 1.4× | 3 | 10 | 6 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2011 | 161 | 1.5× | 3 | 4 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2010 | 110 | 1.0× | 2 | 5 | 5 | Few red flags | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 862 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain368 (43%)
- Electrical & infotainment203 (24%)
- Structure & body83 (10%)
- Steering, suspension & tires68 (8%)
- Other systems67 (8%)
Recalls (38)
Steering · 26V590000 · Sep 2026 · model year 2018
A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 26V587000 · Sep 2026 · model year 2025
An unexpected engine stall, loss of exterior lighting or warning lights, or failure of the rearview camera system can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 26V321000 · May 2026 · model year 2024
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 25V854000 · Dec 2025 · model year 2025
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Steering · 25V526000 · Aug 2025 · model year 2025
A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V082000 · Feb 2025 · model years 2022, 2023, 2024
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 22V815000 · Oct 2022 · model year 2019
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V514000 · Jul 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 22V226000 · Apr 2022 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 22V176000 · Mar 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 21V853000 · Nov 2021 · model year 2022
A loose brake pipe nut may allow brake fluid to leak, extending the distance required to stop and increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 21V732000 · Sep 2021 · model year 2018
The incorrect roof reinforcement may decrease the roof's structural integrity or impact deployment of the side curtain air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Safety · 21V321000 · May 2021 · model year 2017
Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
Safety · 21V038000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2021
The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Seat belts · 20V724000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2018
A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Safety · 20V716000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2021
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 20V579000 · Sep 2020 · model year 2020
Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Safety · 20V505000 · Aug 2020 · model year 2020
In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Safety · 19V679000 · Sep 2019 · model year 2018
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Airbags · 19V535000 · Jul 2019 · model years 2015, 2016
Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V241000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
The incorrect specifications can result in improper tire inflations or to installing a tire of the wrong size on the vehicle. Either of these situations can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Suspension · 19V188000 · Mar 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V824000 · Nov 2018 · model years 2018, 2019
If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
Body & glass · 18V467000 · Jul 2018 · model year 2018
A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 18V375000 · Jun 2018 · model year 2018
If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 18V329000 · May 2018 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Suspension · 18V324000 · May 2018 · model year 2018
A loose or improperly tightened ball joint nut can result in the separation of the lower ball joint causing steering, traction or other stability issues, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 18V262000 · Apr 2018 · model year 2018
If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V159000 · Mar 2018 · model year 2018
If the engine support bolts were not properly tightened, an unexpected engine breakdown or loss of engine power may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V102000 · Feb 2018 · model years 2017, 2018
In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 17V662000 · Oct 2017 · model year 2018
If the back-up lights are not bright enough, other drivers may not see the vehicle reversing, or the driver may back into an obstacle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 16V955000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2017
In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Safety · 16V464000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2016
If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.
Airbags · 16V045000 · Jan 2016 · model year 2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 15V483000 · Aug 2015 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 15V311000 · May 2015 · model year 2015
If the labels have incorrect weight and loading information, the operator may overload the vehicle which could cause vehicle instability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 14V441000 · Jul 2014 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 13V569000 · Nov 2013 · model years 2010, 2011
If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.